The Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to allow harmonious coexistence and peace for which the people of Ilorin are reputed for.
The IEDPU made the call over the lingering controversy surrounding the wearing of Hijab (head cover) for Muslim female students in ten grant-aiding-schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The union insisted that the concerned schools, which Muslims of Ilorin origin and others from elsewhere have been attending, belong to the state government and not seminaries as being made to believe.
Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the IEDPU National President, Alhaji Aliyu Otta Uthman, said the schools remain government property held in trust for Muslims and Christians and adherents of other faith as well as those who practice no religion, because they are funded through taxpayers’ money.
Violence had erupted in parts of Ilorin recently following agitation over the decision of management of ten grant-aiding schools not to allow hijab Muslim female students into their schools premises on account of wearing hijab.
This was in spite of the government’s directive asserting the right of willing Muslim female students to adorn in hijab.
But the IEDPU boss, at the media briefing, enjoined promoters of good governance and apostles of justice among others to speak out against settlers, who demonstrate hatred and disdain for their peaceful host over the religion they profess.
He express concern over what he called ‘conspicuous silence’ of members of the Human Rights community and the defenders of constitutionalism on the issue.
Uthman commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his exemplary leadership qualities, adding that he has clearly exhibited high sense of decency, maturity and restraint required of the occupant of his office prior to and since the attempt to question the authorities of his government.
The IEDPU President cautioned members of the political class and their supporters to avoid the politicization of the hijab issue and maintained that religion, culture and education of any people are too sensitive to toy with.
“The Union will like to use this opportunity to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Christian Association of Nigeria to allow the unique harmonious coexistence and peace for which the people of Ilorin are well known to subsist.
“The Union wishes to remind all stakeholders for the umpteenth time that the concerned schools are owned by the government and have been attended by Muslims of Ilorin origin and even from elsewhere right from time, which justified the fact that they are for all and not seminaries,” he said.
